2014: my year in interviews

December 31, 2014

2014 saw me move away from reviewing recorded music and concentrate on interviews – so again there will be no lists of the best albums from me.

Instead, here are some of my favourite interviews I recorded over the year – in case you missed them.

In January I spoke to Tarrus Riley and his manager Shane Brown at the same time about Tarrus’ new rocksteady album Love Situation – the combination made for a more revealing Tarrus interview than usual.

In February I got the chance to have a deep chat with Vaughn Benjamin of Midnite about everything from space travel to feminism and celebrated 25 years of Penthouse Records with Donovan Germain. That month also saw the English language publication of my Riddim interview with Luciano in Jamaica from the previous October.

March found me talking Scottish independence with Mungo’s Hifi and the importance of being uncertain with Clinton Fearon. I also wrote a column on reggae album sales which generated some requests for interviews with me (although Reggaeville seem to have removed the original link with all the comments on!)

June offered the chance to talk philosophy with Anthony B boxing with Protoje and unity with most of Raging Fyah. I’ve included a recent sketch I drew of Anthony B. Watch out for more drawings in 2015…

July was the beginning of festival season so interview publication took a backseat while I was recording some new ones at Garance 2014. However, I did grab a moment with Maxi Priest to discuss his sound system days and his comeback album Easy To Love.

September was quiet enough to allow the publication of my chat at Garance with Cedric Myton about the ups and downs of being in Congos and the Royal Rasses. My interview with drum and bass duo Notis – recorded when they were in London with Jesse Royal – also appeared online. This month also saw the release of Alpheus’ Look In The Mirror video (where I make a brief appearance – filmed with my permission this time!)